Looking to cut the satellite cord

[Hoss]

looking for any tips and suggestions from people who have done this themselves. What to avoid and what actually works. Any DVR experience after cutting cord?
I have cable internet- 30mb down 5mb up
2 tvs. and 2 teenagers

I have had Directv for 20 years, tired of the sky high bill every month

 

[DanteEXT]

Haven't cut the cord but I have got an antenna up. I am in the process. Haven't secured all the channels properly yet so I have to tweak my setup in the spring.

Netflix, Hulu, and Sling TV are a must. Especially if you are going completely no OTA, strictly internet. I myself have Netflix and Hulu. I will add Sling once I actually cancel DirecTV. Amazon Prime is another optional choice.

I would recommend going to TV Fool website if you want to add OTA to the mix. From there you can you can use their tools to determine what, if any, channels you are likely to get. Also the forum has some very knowledgeable folks who were very helpful.

You can get DVR for OTA. I myself use Tivo along with a Tivo Mini in the bedroom. Costs $15 per month but have always been a fan of theirs. Tivo also has built in Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, etc apps too. Channel Master and Tablo also have DVRs for OTA but I am unfamiliar with them.

 

[bigdnlaca]

Ever since I was thinking about getting Verizon for NFL Redzone, I don't see any reason to keep cable.

Me and my wife both like sports, but all sports can be streamed live. Also, Amazon Instant Video is great for people who watches sitcoms on cable that can be purchased for the season or per episode.

 

[Seven]

Roku 4.

It really is a good product.

It's like sticking it to the Satellite providers.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc. Tons of free channels. $130.00 to buy it and you're done.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Cut it 5-6 years ago now.

Its come a long way too.

You need an Nvidia Shielf and a Tivo Roamio/Bolt and you're all set.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

I cut the cord and have been fine since. There are a few things that I miss, but not enough to even remotely consider going back. Make sure you have a really good router that can handle you and your family all streaming at once and get a good antenna for times when you need live TV or your Internet is out.

I like the Roku 4 because it has way more channels than AppleTV and FireTV. Plus, they do not force feed products on you like the other two do.

 

[Bigdog]

I have not cut the cord but what I do is I always negotiate or threaten to leave for another competitor. I have received a $40-$50 monthly credit on my bill so it keeps the cost down. They don't want to lose customers so most companies will compromise.

 

[reddyuta]

do you get all streaming content free with it with roku 4 ?

 

[Tabascocat]

Can you get local channels on ROKU like CBS, NBC, etc? And I mean the current nights telecast, not having to wait a week to see a program.

 

[morasp]

My setup is Tivo Roamio, antenna, and fire TV. Subscriptions include Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and Sling TV. The antenna gets over 20 channels and to be honest that combined with Tivo give me more content than I could possibly watch.

 

[DanteEXT]

Can you get local channels on ROKU like CBS, NBC, etc? And I mean the current nights telecast, not having to wait a week to see a program.

Sling TV gets you some cable channels live like ESPN and AMC but if you are looking for network you need an antenna to pick up the broadcast signals in your area if you want to watch that day.

 

[YosemiteSam]

If I didn't live in an apartment right now, I would have completely cut the cord. Right now, I just have the most basic of cable that provides just the local over the air broadcast TV stations. The only reason I have that is because I can't put up an HD antenna on the apartment. The only reason I need the broadcast TV is for morning news and sporting events on local TV. Although I get most of my sports via streaming. (MLB.TV, NHL Center Ice, etc) I just need the broadcast when they are playing local NY/NJ teams.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Sling TV gets you some cable channels live like ESPN and AMC but if you are looking for network you need an antenna to pick up the broadcast signals in your area if you want to watch that day.

Sling costs too much for the crappy channels they give you. IF they were maybe $4-5/month I MIGHT do it. Though even then.. ESPN would probably be the most watched station and I freaking HATE ESPN.

 

[DanteEXT]

Sling costs too much for the crappy channels they give you. IF they were maybe $4-5/month I MIGHT do it. Though even then.. ESPN would probably be the most watched station and I freaking HATE ESPN.

Depends on what you want to watch and who lives in your place. I have an 11 year old daughter who still occasionally watches Disney and Cartoon Network. I'd watch ESPN and AMC for Walking Dead. HGTV, TNT and TBS would probably get viewed on occasion. That may be enough to make it worth cutting out the $130 DirecTV

 

[YosemiteSam]

Depends on what you want to watch and who lives in your place. I have an 11 year old daughter who still occasionally watches Disney and Cartoon Network. I'd watch ESPN and AMC for Walking Dead. HGTV, TNT and TBS would probably get viewed on occasion. That may be enough to make it worth cutting out the $130 DirecTV

Walking Dead is on Amazon Prime. As for kids and cartoons. That does make it quite a bit more difficult.

 

[DanteEXT]

Walking Dead is on Amazon Prime. As for kids and cartoons. That does make it quite a bit more difficult.

That is another cord cutting option. If you are willing to wait you can catch seasons of many shows on AP or Netflix. Also, you could do season passes. Get Hulu and maybe save more. A few years ago I calculated season passes on Amazon for everything I watched and I would still save $500ish a year for all the shows we watched.

 

[jimmy40]

Love Dish and don't mind paying for it.

 

[AzorAhai]

I had considered doing this myself. I then called Dish Network and the plans they have going are just too cheap to deal with the hassle and lose program options. The only thing I don't have is the movie channels. I have 4 boxes which they didn't charge any fees for, DVR, free HD for the life of my stay with dish, the top 200(or is it 250?) and a 2 year guaranteed price on a 2 year contract. My bill is only $89 monthly. They also give you Netflix free for a year when you sign up.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

I had considered doing this myself. I then called Dish Network and the plans they have going are just too cheap to deal with the hassle and lose program options. The only thing I don't have is the movie channels. I have 4 boxes which they didn't charge any fees for, DVR, free HD for the life of my stay with dish, the top 200(or is it 250?) and a 2 year guaranteed price on a 2 year contract. My bill is only $89 monthly. They also give you Netflix free for a year when you sign up.

I pay $15 a month and get everything you watch.

 

[AzorAhai]

I pay $15 a month and get everything you watch.

$15 a month where and for what?